Portable cabinet and storage caddy for holiday, hobbies &amp; crafts

ABSTRACT

Invention relates to a portable cabinet and unit (caddy) with appendage housed inside, said device having separate compartmentalized, trays/containers for receiving, organizing, and transporting a plurality of collectable items for the holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights, and related accessories for holiday, as well as for hobbies and crafts. Mounted on the interior cabinet walls are four boxes with devices in each to store a single strand of holiday lights. The components are made of any suitable materials, preferably plastic. The cabinet has rollers mounted thereon to at least partially support the cabinet and unit (caddy) when in an upright position and to enable movement of the cabinet and storage caddy across the surface. A push/pull arm/handle that may be stationary or retractable is mounted to the rear panel of the cabinet to enable the user to roll the cabinet and storage caddy across the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/780482 filed on Mar. 8, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

“Not Applicable”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a portable cabinet equipped for rolling movement over a surface with an appendage housed inside, said device having separate, compartmentalized, trays or containers for receiving, organizing, storing, and transporting a plurality of collectable items for holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights, and related accessories, as well as for hobbies and crafts. As the popularity of holiday tree decorating grows dramatically, the need arose for a convenient means to receive, organize, store and transport delicate collectables. This invention is intended to satisfy such need in unique manner.

In the past, delicate collectable items such as holiday ornaments, lighting and related accessories for the holiday have been stored in large plastic storage containers. For the most part, these containers are void of compartments that keep them safe from damage or breakage.

Such containers do not adequately secure items. There are no separate compartments or dividers to prevent its contents from shifting and thereby becoming damaged or destroyed. When the container is moved or transported, the items shift or bump other collectable items stored and/or the inner walls of the container. Also, the container may have a great deal of wasted space as well and therefore, permit its contents to shift and become damaged or destroyed.

Most users prefer to store all collectable items in one place. Since these containers do not have dedicated storage compartments and/or dividers, users have to take great care to organize and separate these delicate items to ensure these collectables remain intact another season.

Additionally, storing strands of holiday lights has been extremely problematic for users, as they often become tangled, twisted and damaged. Damaged light strands are not wanted by consumers. Therefore, a device for protecting the light strands during storage is also essential.

The prior art is replete with reference to various types of organizers and portable storage devices, none of which however, are uniquely designed nor intended for holiday, hobbies and crafting.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,418, to Goldstein, is directed to a carrying case for information and product samples. This case is particularly adapted for artwork or other similar, substantially flat material.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,711, to Schmid, relates to a portable display case comprising a pair of containers detachably connected to each other. Each container has a hingably connected cover portion that may be laid flat to support the compartment in a vertical position allowing display of goods contained therein

None of these prior art patents relate to a portable cabinet with a separate unit housed inside with separate, compartmentalized, trays/containers adaptable for receiving, organizing, storing and transporting a plurality of delicate collectables for holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights, and related accessories, as well as for hobbies and crafts.

The present invention meets these special objectives by a unique design and assembly. The manner by which such objectives are achieved will become apparent upon reading the following specification, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable cabinet with an appendage housed inside, said device having separate, compartmentalized, trays/containers adaptable for receiving, organizing, storing and transporting a plurality of collectable items for holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights, and related accessories, as well as for hobbies or crafts. It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system for receiving, organizing, storing and transporting a plurality of collectable items more suitable for holiday, such as ornaments, strands of lights, and related accessories, as well as for hobbies and crafts.

It is another object of this invention to provide a versatile, portable, efficient system to transport and adequately hold collectables securely in a cabinet and within its inner compartment. This device housed inside the cabinet has separate, compartmentalized trays/containers with dividers that prevent items from shifting, and thus, bumping other items and/or the inner walls of the storage compartments.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a storage and transportation cabinet with preferably, six inner trays that are reliable, convenient, and efficient in use, yet relatively inexpensive in construction.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a rigid storage and transporting device to store various collectable items and prevent its contents from shifting and becoming damaged or destroyed.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an organizer which can be conveniently fit into an outer container of varying size and shape and which can also be partitioned into an number of inner compartments.

It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a secure and reliable method of keeping strands of holiday lights from becoming twisted, tangled, damaged and broken during storage.

Further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closed cabinet according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the opened portable cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the hinges in a second embodiment of the cabinet while in a closed condition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latch for portable cabinet in FIG. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a is a back and side elevational view of an embodiment of the cabinet and roller mechanism in an upright position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front elevational view of the cabinet illustrating details to nest trays and contain various collectable items and related accessories.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of details to nest rectangular boxes for strands of lights.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the lid and base components, forming the container with respective divider.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the base components with ornaments stored in the container.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the lid and base components together forming the container with respective divider.

FIG. 11 is a simplified front view of the horizontal panel for securing light strands.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the opened rectangular box illustrating proper alignment and placement of strands of lights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a portable cabinet equipped for rolling movement over a surface with an appendage housed inside, said device having separate, compartmentalized, trays or containers for receiving, organizing, storing and transporting a plurality of collectable items for the holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights, and holiday related accessories, as well as for hobbies and/or crafts within a variety of relatively rigid containers or trays. In addition, there are four boxes with devices in each to store a single strand of holiday lights. The components are made of any suitable materials, preferably molded plastic.

A feature of the present invention is the ability to support its contained items, particularly square, round, or straight-sided items. The apparatus prevents the items from shifting within their respective compartments, and, thus, avoid possible damage to the item.

The generally, barrel shaped cabinet has rollers mounted thereon to at least partially support the cabinet and storage unit (caddy) when in an upright position and to enable movement of the cabinet and storage unit (caddy) across the surface. A push/pull arm/handle that may be stationary or retractable is mounted to the rear panel of the cabinet to enable the user to roll the cabinet and storage unit (caddy) across the surface.

The portable storage apparatus comprising:

(a) Cabinet

A portable cabinet with a pair of outer members, (front and back), generally shaped like a barrel, positioned opposite one another, hingedly securely along one pair of complimentary edges thereof; said outer members having a rigid body portion to provide support therefore; a roller means mounted to the bottom portion of said back panel and positioned to at least partially support said cabinet apparatus when said cabinet apparatus is in a generally upright position and to enable rolling movement of said cabinet apparatus across a surface when said cabinet apparatus is in an inclined position; wheels which may be mounted with an axle or snapped in place although any suitable mechanism may be employed; and a center inner panel member configured to nest between said outer members, where said inner member is provided with more suitably, six rounded trays secured to said center inner panel member; and more suitably, six corresponding, interlocking, rounded tops for securing said accessories therein; means for securing said barrel shaped outer members together about the periphery thereof to form a closed cabinet; and push/pull or gripping bar handle along said periphery of cabinet for easily transporting the contents thereof

(b) Storage Unit (Caddy)

An appendage which is generally parallel spaced apart front and rear panels connected about their peripheries to a wall member; the inner center wall of the portable cabinet that has generally, rounded trays, more suitably six, and preferably, six corresponding, interlocking tops, each tray containing removable dividers for organizing and storing a plurality of collectable items and related accessories for holiday, hobby and crafts.

c) Rectangular boxes with panels

Affixed on either side of the inner wall of the cabinet are preferably, two pairs of elongated, generally rectangular boxes with hinges and snaps that are secured along two complimentary edges, each configured to nest between said inner members. Each generally, rectangular box has three separate, removable inner panel members that when intact, fit securely at the respective ends to hold at least one strand of lights, and when panels are dislodged, related accessories can be stored therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a closed front view of a first preferred embodiment of this invention for a portable cabinet with storage compartments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of this invention for a portable cabinet with storage compartments where such invention comprises a pair of outer members essentially identical in construction, hinged along a common side 20. The outer members 22 and 23, preferably barrel or keg shaped, though an essentially circular configuration may also be suitable, may be formed of plastic or any suitable materials. The cabinet FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, also includes generally parallel spaced apart front and rear panels 18 and 19, respectively. The panels 18 and 19 are connected about their peripheries to a wall member. The wall member 20 extends between the panels, thereby defining a volume. The wall member 20 has a top portion, a bottom portion positioned opposite the top portion, and side portions 22 and 23. The panels and wall member are preferably made of any suitable material. The rear panel 19 includes a rigid portion, which is preferably made of molded plastic, although any suitably rigid material may be employed.

FIG. 3 is an opened back view of the preferred embodiment of this invention for a portable cabinet with storage compartments illustrating the spine portion of the cabinet with preferred hinge 17, pivotally mounted on the periphery of the wall members for easy opening and closing the cabinet to permit access to the volume within the cabinet 2. The hinge is preferably made of molded plastic, although any suitably rigid material may be employed.

FIG. 4 illustrates latch or snap used to close cabinet door which is, preferably molded plastic, although any suitable mechanism may be employed.

FIG. 5 refers to rollers 24, which engage the rigid body portion for support, are mounted about adjacent to the bottom of portion 19 of wall member 19. The rollers 24 are preferably position at the junction of rear panel 19 and the bottom of wall member 19. The rollers 24 are positioned to at least partially support the weight of the cabinet 4 when in the upright, or at rest position. The rollers 24 are operable to enable rolling movement of the cabinet across a surface when in an inclined position. The rollers 24 are preferably, molded plastic but may be any wheel or caster of a type known to those skilled in the art and may be mounted with an axle, snap or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art.

The push/pull handle or gripping bar 26 is preferably a rigid handle, having two legs and a gripping member 26. The handle, which may also be stationary, is mounted on the cabinet 4 about adjacent to the rigid body portion at the top portion of wall member 23. The handle 26, which preferably, also includes a locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the handle in the retracted position, may be employed by the user to effect rolling movement of the cabinet 5 across the surface.

FIG. 6 refers to an apparatus is affixed to an inner panel 27, positioned between the respective outer members to secure preferably, six identically shaped trays with accompanying lids 29, to carry items in the manner described above, said tray/container having two identically shaped rounded components, one comprising a lid 29 and the other comprising a base 30. The lid 29 and base 30 components are generally rounded boxes having one open side each. The components snap together at each end with the open sides facing each other. This forms a rounded shaped container. Each component 29 and 30 is preferably made of plastic or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 refers to generally rectangular boxes 21A and 21B mounted in the wall of cabinet of the preferred embodiment of this invention for a portable cabinet with storage compartments.

FIG. 8 refers to the egg carton divider 34 or compartment used to separate collectables and prevent them from bumping into other collectables. The divider 34 inset with tray/container base 32 and 33 lid.

FIG. 9 refers to delicate items such as ornaments 35, displayed in open container without divider contained herein.

FIG. 10 refers to an aerial view of tray/container, divider 36 and lid.

FIG. 11 refers to the artist's rendering of the horizontal panels with teeth 37 contained in each rectangular box for the purpose of holding strands of holiday lights.

FIG. 12 illustrates rectangular box with handle 40, containing panels with teeth mounted vertically inside each boxes. The boxes, having two identically shaped elongated components, one comprising a lid and the other comprising a base. The lid and base components are generally rectangular boxes having one open side each. The components snap together at each end with the open sides facing each other. This forms a rectangular shaped container. Each component, 38 and 39 and panels are preferably molded plastic but may be any made of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art.

Instructions for Operational the Portable Cabinet and Storage Unit (Caddy):

To use the storage unit (caddy), the user:

-   1) Rolls the cabinet and storage unit to a working area indoors; -   2) opens the cabinet door and removes a rounded tray from the caddy; -   3) remove the lid from the rounded tray/container; -   4) place the egg carton divider into the tray/container base and     inset the collectable item; into the egg carton-like slots one at a     time, see FIG. 8. thus, containing the ornament between the tray and     the lid. The ornament may also be placed directly into the tray, see     FIG. 9; -   5) the user will continue to place items into the respective     container/tray until all of the collectables have been secured or     the container is filled; -   6) When the storage container is filled, place the lid securely on     the container; -   7) return the container to the cabinet; -   8) repeat the process repeated until all of the trays are filled.

To use the rectangular light boxes, the user:

-   1) removes the rectangular box from the inner cabinet wall; -   2) place the box on a table or other suitable flat surface and opens     the rectangular box; -   3) place a single strand of lights into the associated rectangular     boxes inside the cabinet, -   4) remove the snap or closing mechanism from the outer member of the     box and open the container; -   5) make sure that each light panel with “teeth” is laying parallel     in the box, one after the other; -   6) Commencing with the top panel, working from left to right, affix     the strand of lights to the panels with “teeth”, see FIG. 12, being     careful to align the top of the lights facing up, see FIG. 12; -   7) continue to secure the lights into the teeth of respective panel,     making certain that the extra cord falls into the rectangular box     between the panels; -   8) close the box when all of the lights are securely placed into the     “teeth” and the cord is secure inside the rectangular box, see FIG.     12; -   9) repeat the process until all of the boxes are filled; -   10) return the boxes to the cabinet, close door and store items     until needed; -   11) roll the cabinet to an interior area where household storage is     maintained. 

1. A portable cabinet and unit (caddy) with storage trays or containers to receive, organize, store, and transport a plurality of collectable items more suitable for holiday such as ornaments, strands of lights and related accessories, as well as for hobbies, and crafts, said cabinet and storage caddy comprising: (a) Cabinet A portable cabinet with a pair of outer members, front and back, generally shaped like a barrel, positioned opposite one another, hingedly securely along one pair of complimentary edges thereof; said outer members having a rigid body portion to provide support therefore; a roller means mounted to the bottom portion of said back panel and positioned to at least partially support said cabinet apparatus when said cabinet apparatus is in a generally upright position and to enable rolling movement of said cabinet apparatus across a surface when said cabinet apparatus is in an inclined position; wheels which may be mounted with an axle or snapped in place; and a center inner panel member configured to nest between said outer members, where said inner member is provided with more suitably six rounded trays secured to said center inner panel member; and more suitably, six corresponding, interlocking rounded tops for securing said accessories therein means for securing said barrel shaped outer members together about the periphery thereof to form a closed cabinet; and push/pull or gripped bar handle along said periphery of cabinet for easily transporting the contents thereof (b) Storage Unit (Caddy) An appendage which is generally parallel spaced apart front and rear panels connected about their peripheries to a wall member; the inner center wall of the portable cabinet that has generally, rounded trays, more suitably six, and preferably, six corresponding, interlocking tops, each tray containing removable dividers for organizing and storing a plurality of collectable items and related accessories for holiday, hobby and crafts. c) Rectangular boxes with panels Affixed to the inner wall of the cabinet are preferably, two pairs (four) of elongated, generally rectangular boxes with hinges and snaps that are secured along two complimentary edges, each configured to nest between said inner members. Each generally, rectangular box has three separate, removable inner panel members that when intact, fit securely at the respective ends to hold at least one strand of lights, and when panels are dislodged, related accessories can be stored therein.
 2. A barrel shaped storage apparatus comprising: a first panel for the back having a top portion and bottom portion; a second panel for the front connected to the side of said first panel; said second panel having a top portion and bottom portion; said first and second panels having a rigid body portion to provide support thereof; first roller means mounted to the bottom portion of said first panel and positioned to support said storage cabinet apparatus when said cabinet apparatus in a generally upright position to enable rolling movement of said apparatus across a surface when said storage apparatus is in an inclined position; a handle having a first end, an opening and a second end, the first end of said handle being pivotally mounted to said rigid body portion, said arm, preferably movable between a first position and a second position and positioned to enable rolling movement of said storage apparatus across said surface; bracket means for supporting said handle in said first position connected between said rigid body portion and said handle at a position different from the first end of said handle, said bracket means movable between a deployed position in which said handle is in juxtaposition to said rigid body portion in said second position, said bracket means is generally, within the opening of said handle in the retracted position with said handle and said bracket means cooperating to form a generally continuous closed area within the opening of said handle, said handle, generally parallel to the panel portion of said first panel in the retracted position; said first and second roller means cooperating to fully support said storage apparatus when said bracket means is in the deployed position; and handle means for effecting rolling movement of said storage apparatus across said surface.
 3. The portable cabinet according to claim 2 wherein wheels for rolling said cabinet across a surface are affixed to the bottom of the back panel employing any suitable method, preferably with an axle.
 4. A generally barrel shaped cabinet with a center apparatus, said cabinet comprising: generally horizontally spaced apart front and rear panels connected about their peripheries to a wall member, said wall member extending between front and rear panels, thereby defining a volume, said wall member having a top portion and a bottom portion positioned opposite one another, at least one of said rear panel said front panel and said wall member having a rigid body portion to provide support therefore.
 5. The portable cabinet according to claim 2 wherein said center inner panel member is hingedly disposed between said outer members.
 6. Means for securing said outer members of claim 3 together about the periphery thereof to form a closed cabinet and storage case, preferably, latch although any other suitable mechanism may be employed.
 7. A handle means along said periphery of the cabinet for easily transporting contents therein.
 8. The organizer of claim 1 (a) A storage unit (caddy) wherein the inner surfaces of the respective outer members include an appendage with preferably, six rounded trays and preferably six corresponding, interlocking tops to store collectable items and related accessories; (b) At least one of said generally rounded trays comprises two substantially parallel wells and a ridge running in the same direction therealong, and separating said respective wells from one another; (c) Additionally comprising at least one removable egg carton like divider arranged to securely seat in each said generally rounded tray and further divide each said well into two or more sections to provide specific locations for a single collectable item.
 9. A storage unit (caddy) for receiving, organizing, storing and transporting a plurality of collectable items more suitably for holiday, such as ornaments, strands of lights, and respective accessories, as well as for hobbies and crafts.
 10. A container or tray, comprising: (a) a pair of generally rounded components each having a surface member, a pair of sidewalls integrally formed with and sloping away from the surface member, and a pair of end walls integrally formed with the surface member and the sidewalls and sloping away from the surface member; (b) a protruding nub on each portion and each portion having a lower recessed area, said nubs and lower recessed areas for aligning the end portions of said pair of generally rounded components in face-to-face relation; and c) interlocking lips on the end portions, said interlocking lips on opposing components latching to hold the components together in face-to-face fashion so the generally rounded components cooperate to define a chamber.
 11. A container of claim 10, wherein said generally rounded components are separable.
 12. The tray of claim 10, wherein said generally rounded components are interchangeable.
 13. The tray of claim 10, wherein said components are of any suitable material, preferably molded plastic.
 14. A light box, comprising: (a) a pair of elongated, generally rectangular components each having a surface member, a pair of sidewalls integrally formed with and sloping away from the surface member and a pair of end walls integrally formed with the surface member and the sidewalls and sloping away from the surface member with each end wall terminating in an end portion, the pair of sidewalls and the pair of end walls disposed around the surface member to form an open side in each component; (b) a protruding nub on each end portion and each end portion having a recessed area, said nubs and lower recessed areas for aligning the end portions of said pair of elongated components in face-to-face relation so the open sides of said elongated components face each other; c) means for joining the sidewalls of oppositely disposed elongated components in a mating relationship to form a loose joint.
 15. The container of claim 13, wherein said means for closing said container is with a snap, wherein said snap is molded of any suitable material, preferably plastic.
 16. The container of claim 13, wherein preferably three removable, elongated panels with teeth are attached to each end sidewall, said means for aligning strands of lights. 